260 HORSEMANSHIP. 



landing side, the case is somewhat altered, as the 

 pace you ride at must be regulated by its width. 

 If you have reason to believe it is of moderate 

 width, do not go fast at the fence, because it will 

 cause your horse to leap further than he needs to 

 leap, and of course help to exhaust him. But if, 

 when within a few yards of the hedge, going slowly 

 at it, you perceive the ditch is a broad one, " put 

 in some powder,'" as the modern sporting term is ; 

 that is, urge your horse by the hand and spur, and 

 he will be aware of what you wish him to do, 

 namely, to extend himself so as to clear a wide 

 space of ground. If the ground on the landing side 

 be lower than that on the rising side, causing what 

 is called " a drop leap,"' or even if the ground be 

 not lower, but soft or boggy, your horse will look 

 for assistance from you on alighting, which you 

 should give him by throwing your body back, 

 having at the same time a resisting power from your 

 stirrups. But another precaution is necessary when 

 the ditch is on the rising side, or indeed with all 

 fences except those (as will be hereafter named) 

 wliich require to be ridden quickly at. This is, to 

 shorten the horse's stroke so as to enable him to 

 gather himself together for the spring, or he may mis- 

 judge his distance, and get too near to his fence to 

 rise at it. In fact, to judge accurately of the distance 

 from the fence, at which the spring should be taken, 

 is a great accomplishment in a man and a horse. 

 In the former, it is the result of experience and a 

 quick eye ; wdth the latter, it is in great measure 

 dependent on temper ; and consequently violent 



